Reel Therapy takes close victory

Just over a pound of fish and $800 in prize money separated the crews of “Reel Therapy” and “Beth Ann” in the Top Boat class of the Cheboygan Salmon Tournament on Saturday.

Staff reports

Just over a pound of fish and $800 in prize money separated the crews of “Reel Therapy” and “Beth Ann” in the Top Boat class of the Cheboygan Salmon Tournament on Saturday.
Considering 29 crews brought in 837 pounds of Salmon, Steelhead and Trout — and even one sea lamprey — that was a smal gap that made Phil Hopkins happy to be a two-time winner.
“It’s awesome,” said Hopkins, who dropped lines into the Straits of Mackinac with fellow Cheboyganites Brent Herriman and Lee Ann Hopkins. “I have a lot of respect for the the teams that fish here. Anybody can win this, so to win it twice is real special.”
Hopkins had previously won in 2009.
He stated the trio used “flashers and flies” to stock their cooler with more trophy catches than the trio had arms during the 14th annual event. Hopkins shared little info of where they set up for roughly six hours of fishing, only stating ‘it was well north’ and took the “Reel Therapy” roughly an hour before dropping anchor on the way to winning the $1,600 top prize.
The crew of the “Beth Ann, led by Andy Blaskowski of Cheboygan was not far off the top pace, bringing in 55.18 lbs on the way to netting $800, while Nathan Edwards’ “Slacker” took third with 51.75 lbs.
Edwards’ crew pocketed another $150 for winning the “Mystery Fish” category, coming the closest to the 8.40 pound goal with a 8.35 pound catch.
The “Reel Wild” team from Cedarville and Goodrich pocketed the second-highest prize, thanks to winning the top Salmon (15.68 lbs.) and Steelhead (13.23 lbs.). The all-Merchberger team included Liza, Kayla, Mark and Bob.
Todd Curtis’ “Sandman” had the second biggest Salmon at 14.98 while Carl McCready’s “Rxcuse” had a 14.31 catch.
Aaron Maltby’s “Sweet Relief” won for the largest Lake Trout, weighing in a 13.23 lbs catch.